Page 170 of Dream On, Liar

I couldn't. The walls seemed too close. The air felt too thick.

He crouched in front of me. “Breathe.”

I shook my head.

“Try, please.” His voice stayed low.

Steady.

He reached for my hand.

I grabbed it.

Hard.

His fingers closed around mine. “I'm here.”

I tried.

In.

Out.

Nothing.

My stomach rolled violently.

I covered my mouth. “I'm going to be sick.”

He was already moving. “Come on.”

He helped me out of bed and towards the bathroom.

I barely made it.

I knelt beside the toilet, shaking, while he crouched behind me.

His hand moved slowly through my hair as he held them back.

I retched until my stomach cramped, though there was barely anything left in it.

When it finally stopped, I leaned against him.

Humiliation burned beneath my skin. “I'm sorry.”

He frowned. “For what?”

“Waking you.”

“You didn’t.”

I looked at him.

He was already emptying the glass that sat by the sink.

“I was awake.”

I frowned. “Why?”